Economy is killing pets

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Pet owners are surrending their family pets to shelters at a rate never seen before.

This is just another example of how our downward spiraling economy is affecting the American household. A family is more than just a mother and a father and 1.2 children, but also includes the family pet.

Shelters are seeing this on a daily basis, people coming in, forced to make a decision that they feel is is not in their control. Quite often they feel the burden and anxiety of household debt looming over their heads. This is an adverse derivative of our existing times.

Examples of families making the choice of dealing with their debt, or taking care of a cherished member of the family have been popping up all over our neighborhoods. From households turning in their dogs and cats in order to pay for medical bills, to families putting to sleep their dogs and cats so they can afford to dig out of debt and keep their head above water. The economic ruin is making it progressively more difficult for some households to justify paying out as much as a thousand dollars each year or more on the vet care and food for their dogs.

The population escalation at animal shelters around the nation shows how the feeble economy is also reducing the pool of potential adopters.
The back lash has been population explosion of shelters resulting in a faster rate of pets being put to sleep, and numerious shelters turning away households looking to abandon pets. Of the estimated 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats sent to animal shelters every year, over half are put down what is left is found new homes.

Having to give up a pet can cause deep emotional scars on a family unit, especially the children who do not realize the economic strain. We cannot expect them to understand the problematical choice their parents have to make, giving up their pet to make sure after they pay their bills and credit card debt they can be fed and clothed.

The only other option for many people other than leaving their dog or cat is to dig themselves out of debt. Debt settlement companies can help families lower their monthly house hold expenses eliminating their need to make the demanding decision to allow their pet to be put to sleep. The more people understand that there are options; the less stress will be put on the local shelters trying to deal with this issue on a daily basis.

Another option is to find a person or family member willing to temporarily adopt your pet. This would allow you to rest easy knowing they are well taken care of and loved. This would allow you to take time and create a debt reduction plan putting them in a position to once again make their dog or cat a part of the household again.